Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-23
VETS AT THE BANQUET.
. A Happy Time at ArmOry Hall Last
Night.
The Ninth Cavalry FestiyIties---The
Toasts and Close of the
Re-Uni0n---Th- EnraDpment nj the
Island.

The second annual reunion of the
Ninth Illinois Veteran cavalry is over.
The banquet at Armory hail last evening
closed the two days spent by the gallant
boys of 61 in Rock Island, and
it is the hope of the people
of Rock Island who have extend-
ed the hospitality of the city on this oc-
casion, that the two days thus spent
have been of pleasure and profit 10 the
visitors, as they certainly have been to
the local members of the organization.
The banquet was an exceedingly happy
affair, equaling all previous hospitality of
the nature, ever attempted in Rock ISL
and. The hail had been prettily and APP
prately decorated for the occasion. the
nation Il colors being neatly displayed in
the front of the hall about II handsome
oil painting IN canvas by Heckle, the
artist,-a war landscape in The centre of
which appeared Welcome. Ninth Illi-
nois Cavalry Comrades" Plates had
been provided for two hundred and every
seat was taken when the banquet opened.
The veterans assembled at the Harper
house ut 100, and escorted by BIeuer's
band, marched to the armorv, where
about lao of them filed in and took places
at the table Col. A q. Bracket. presi
dent OF The association, presided, and at
his right WAS seated Col II. B Burgh,
the incoming president with Col. A. X
Mock. one of The vice presidents, and
Mayor Banding at the left. Comrade 5,
:. Gleland invoked divine blessing. after
which Col Brackett Introduced Mayor
Blandiug. who delivered the address of
| welcome
| The mayor commenced his address by
referring to that period in the history OF
| Rome when it WIS considered the highest
honor ii man cnuid enjoy to be able to
| say Il Am Roman cilizrn" He then
applied The remark t" the present age
and said il YVES honor enough in our age
10 he able to say Il Am an American cit.
| zen II was honor enough for any mar
| 10 enjoy, to be able 70 say he was loya
citizen of these United States, aud whet
he had fought for the preservation of ON
nation, no higher honor was required
He spoke of the effect of these reunions
in keeping alive the fires of patriotism
throughout the land, of the efforts m q,
by comrades to attend them. aud of th,
stirring scenes recalled by their recur
renee; of the constitutional centennia
convention at Philadelphia. and tn,
prominence accorded to the 80. 600 boy
in blue, who marched in that procession
Speaking Of the constitution, he said on
forefathers builded wisely and well-per
haps better than they knew. The ex
pansiOn and growth of our nation unde
il had been something phenomenal; yet
there were some things in its conSlruc iuI
which had perhaps The seeds of dissOlu
ton, and alluded to the times which cul
minsted in the outbreak of 81, and Of th
cry which went up from millions q
thrOats, the union must be preserved,
AMI the boys who rose up and said .
shall be preserved" Rock Island count
had contributed literally to the Ninih s
all other regiments that were raised i
this vicinity aud it was proud to WELDON
its survivors The mayor alluded lei
derby and reeljngly to those who ha
Joined the silent procession and to Il
sarr fees made by thin widows Al
mothers who had lost all that was dear
them. that tue nation might live A
though it might have been dear sHcr
fee, it WAS = glorious ore. He sh"u
always he proud 10 extend to the vrteI
ans tue freedom and hospitality OF OF
city.
CnI A r. Mock of Cambridge, T
spondrd on beha}f of the Ninth. 1t d
them good to know that the city of Rot
island remembered gratefully the rrro
of their services. He WAS proud to 81
to the city that Rock Island county HI
started the Ninth Illinois cavalry; Roi
island county had u representation in Il
Of; he could safely say that we had
better in our country and the regime
was crowded with such men. He cou
truthtuily say that n" better regiment W
mustered into the volunteer service
the United States II had been III thIr
engagements sud iununrrahIc sklrmlsi
ot every description. and he thought til
- pretty good record At the battle
Nashville they had dismOuntcd II
charged as infantry Their brigade h
been the first to break The enrmy's Ii
and go through them at that place.
those present knew what the Ninth We
through they would wonder that so ma
survived to he present at this reunio
They had n rousing good time. They f
grateful to the clfzens of Rock Island
the many kindnesses bestowed a
thanked them from the bottom of til
hearts.
The attack upon the rations was ii
made. and the veterans proved themsel
as of old equal to the emergency. I
supper was prepared BY John Aster, u
included oysters, roast beef, chicken, c
cry. pickles, cake. fruit. coffee and
cream. The Ladies' Aid society
Beardsley camp waited upon the bait
. SCARED hosts and their friends. and Il
manlcr Of service fairly charmed
guests Bleuer's band played delightfl
at intervals during :he banquet. wi
the toasts and responses became the
der.
THE NINTH ILLINOIS CAVALRY,
was the first toast, and the response
4 by Col. A. G. Bracket. who gave
! torieal review of the Ninth cavalry
organization and service during the Y